Monday, February 09, 2015

Sporting End First Phase of Preseason with Win

Sporting KC closed out the first phase of their preseason ahead of the 2015 season with a win in Tucson. Twice Sporting came from behind to beat PDL side, FC Tucson 4-2.

The first half saw Sporting play as much of the first team as they can at this point, with the team still without Matt Besler and Chance Myers, Ike Opara, and Graham Zusi all still recovering from injury. The predominately first team lineup though could not find the net for Kansas City in the first half.

At half time, Sporting made 10 changes, with only 17 year old Erik Palmer-Brown staying on and playing the full 90 minutes for Kansas City. The team also only had three trialists play in the game. Sporting's third first round pick, Amadou Dia, their third round pick, James Rogers, and former Sporing KC midfielder, Christian Duke. The rest of the roster were players that were already under contract to Sporting KC. Tucson grabbed the lead just a few minutes into the half with Marquis Brooks scoring in the 48th minute to put the PDL side on top. KC equalized in the 60th minute from the penalty spot as Krisztian Nemeth converted after Mikey Lopez was fouled in the box. Tucson would re-grab the lead in the 74th as Derek Boggs headed home a free kick from Vincent Mediate to put make it 2-1. The lead lasted only a minute though as Nemeth scored his second goal of the game finishing of a cross from Rogers to make it 2-2. Then just a couple minutes later, Sporting went on top thanks to Jimmy Medranda as he one timed a shot into the net off an assist from Nemeth. Sporting put the game away in stoppage time as Dia found Nemeth who beat his defender and then beat former KC academy player, Jacole Turner to finish off his hattrick and make it 4-2 right before the final whistle.